A study on growth characteristics of Trachinus draco (Linnaeus, 1758) inhabiting Northeastern Mediterranean

This study was carried out to determine the age and growth characteristics of greater weever (Trachinus draco) in the Northeastern Mediterranean during 2013-2014 fishing season. Total 532 Trachinus draco ranged 13.5 to 32.0 cm in total length was caught by trawl and gill net. The population consists of 45.89% from females and 54.11% from males. The length-weight relationship was found as TW=0.0077×L2.95. Growth model derived by using von-Bertalanffy method was: Lt=46.445[1-e-0.076(t+3.289)] for this species. Evaluation of the aging of this species was made by two independent researchers and Index of Average Percent Error (IAPE) was defined as 4.01%. The maximum growth of the absolute growth in fish between 2-3 age group 2.47 cm; relative growth was calculated as 16.46%. At least absolute growth in fish growth between 9-10 age group 21.1 cm; relative growth was calculated as 4.36%. Population condition factor value 0.654±0.021; 0.692 top condition factor according to age (9 years of age), condition factor value is at least 0.628 (10 years of age), respectively. Thus information about growth of this species in the Northeastern Mediterranean was found out during 2013-2014 fishing season.